JUBILANT stallholders have toasted Bury Market's accolade as the best in the business.

Traders said the market deserved the award because of its people, prices, products and personality.

Valerie Pierce, 59, manager of James Wallace Farm Produce, which has traded on the market for 40 years and sells a wide variety of fresh foods including black puddings, said: "Anything that you want you can get from Bury Market. That is what makes it great.

"It is large, wonderful and friendly. There are generations of families that shop on stalls and work on them. You get to know people personally and see them grow up.

"Bigger chain stores and town centres are killing markets off but we are here and we are the best. It is all about service and atmosphere."

Brian Iddon, 57, runs Iddon's Greengrocers. The stall has been in his family since 1938 and he started work on it at the age of 21.

Brian said: "I have been coming to the market since the age of 12. I love the people here and all the characters.

"It is just a wonderful place to work.

"We try to remember the names of the customers and get involved and that personal service is what it is all about. It is hard work at times and gets cold but that is the nature of the job. There will always be a place for markets.

"I can tell people where produce is grown and how it is grown. You do not get that level of service anywhere other than a market. The award is well deserved."